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Communication Manager
3 Year Fixed Term Contract
National Transport Authority

The National Transport Authorityis committed to a policy of equal opportunity.

Contact: NTA Careers Team at

National Transport Authority, Dun Scéine, Iveagh Court,

Harcourt Lane, Dublin 2

COMMUNICATION Manager
National Transport Authority

TITLE OF POSITION:Communication Manager

REPORTING TO:Head of Customer Experience

OFFICE:National Transport Authority

LOCATION: Dublin

The National Transport Authority is a statutory body established by the Minister for Transport on 1 December 2009. The relevant legislative provisions underpinning the Authority are the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008, the Public Transport Regulation Act 2009 and the Taxi Regulation Act 2013.

At national level, the Authority has responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger land transport services, including subsidised bus and rail services. The Authority also licenses public bus passenger services delivered by private operators and has responsibility for the regulation of the small public service vehicle industry (taxis, hackneys and limousines). Other areas of responsibility include the State’s rural transport programme, integrated information systems for public transport customers, management of the Integrated Ticketing Scheme for Ireland (the Leap Card system), and regulation of vehicle clamping.

Within the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) the Authority carries additional responsibilities including:

strategic planning of transport;
development of an integrated, accessible public transport network;
promoting cycling and walking;
provision of public transport infrastructure generally including light rail, metro and heavy rail; and
effective management of traffic and transport demand.

The GDA includes the local authority areas of Dublin City, Fingal, Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown, South Dublin, Kildare, Meath and Wicklow.

Further information on the Authority is available on its website.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The principal duties and responsibilities of the role of CommunicationManager may include some or all of the following:

Champion the customer experience in public transport, walking and cycling projects
Design and manage the Authority’s Research and Customer Insight channels
Champion the adoption of accessibility measures across the public transport network
Work with relevant external bodies to ensure that the public transport customer’s requirements are reflected in their plans, including the areas of tourism, sports, events
Provide communications advice and support to NTA teams, to maximise customer benefits delivered by projects funded by the Authority
Procure and manage service contracts in these areas to deliver best value for money for the taxpayer
Manage staff – plan and organise the work of a team
Manage staffperformance including Performance Management and Personal Development Plan ( PMPDP)
Manage Budgets
Organise and Review Procedures
Other tasks as required

REQUIREMENTS

Character

Each candidate must be of good character.

Health

Each candidate shall be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

Education and Experience

The candidate shall:

a)Hold a minimum of an NFQ Level 8 degree in a relevant discipline, being communications, marketing, business, economics, or equivalent; and

b)Have at least five years’ post graduate satisfactory experience of marketing and contracts management, ideally in a public transport or related environment;

c)Competent in the use of MS office applications

Desirable Attributes:

The ideal candidate will also:

Be firmly customer-focused;
Be able to work within, and contribute positively to, multi-disciplinary teams;
Be able to successfully lead stakeholder groups and projects, achieving defined goals;
Have the ability to manage the delivery of several tasks/projects concurrently;
Have excellent analytical skills, with the ability to overview situations, review and evaluate, defining plans and setting targets in order to achieve goals;
Have excellent project management and budget management skills;
Have excellent contracts management skills, including experience of public sector procurements;
Possess good interpersonal, presentation and communication skills;
Have strong creative-thinking and planning abilities;
Have superior writing skills together with an ability to produce high quality analysis and reporting;
Have good understanding of transport issues nationally, and in particular public transport service governance arrangements;
Have a good knowledge of public service policies, services and activities, particularly in the transport area or, the ability to quickly acquire such knowledge.
Have a creative approach to problem solving and a collaborative approach to working with others to reach a solution.

Note:The functions and responsibilities assigned to this position are based on the current stated role and may be changed from time to time. The person appointed requires the flexibility to fulfil other roles and responsibilities at a similar level within the Authority.

EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS:

Eligibility to Compete

Candidates should note that eligibility to compete is open to citizens of the European Economic Area (EEA). The EEA consists of the Member States of the European Union along with Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. Swiss citizens under EU agreements may also apply.

A candidate who is in doubt withregard to their eligibility to compete should consult the Department of Jobs, Enterprise & Innovation.

Incentivised Scheme for Early Retirement (ISER):

It is a condition of the Incentivised Scheme for Early Retirement (ISER) as set out in Department of Finance Circular 12/09 that retirees, under that Scheme, are debarred from applying for another position in the same employment or the same sector. Therefore, such retirees may not apply for this position.

Collective Agreement - Redundancy Payments to Public Servants:

The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform letter dated 28th June 2012 to Personnel Officers introduced, with effect from 1st June 2012, a Collective Agreement which had been reached between the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the Public Services Committee of the ICTU in relation to ex-gratia Redundancy Payments to Public Servants. It is a condition of the Collective Agreement that persons availing of the agreement will not be eligible for re-employment in the public service by any public service body (as defined by the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Acts 2009 – 2011) for a period of 2 years from termination of the employment. Thereafter the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform will be required prior to re-employment. People who availed of this scheme and who may be successful in this competition will have to prove their eligibility (expiry of period of non-eligibility) and the Minister’s consent will have to be secured prior to employment by any public service body.

Department of Health and Children Circular (7/2010):

The Department of Health Circular 7/2010 dated 1 November 2010 introduced a Targeted Voluntary Early Retirement (VER) Scheme and Voluntary Redundancy Schemes (VRS). It is a condition of the VER scheme that persons availing of the scheme will not be eligible for re-employment in the public health sector or in the wider public service or in a body wholly or mainly funded from public moneys. The same prohibition on re-employment applies under the VRS, except that the prohibition is for a period of 7 years, after which time any re-employment will require the approval of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. People who availed of either of these schemes are not eligible to compete in this competition.

Department of Environment, Community & Local Government (Circular Letter LG(P) 06/2013)

The Department of Environment, Community & Local Government Circular Letter LG(P) 06/2013 introduced a Voluntary Redundancy Scheme for Local Authorities. In accordance with the terms of the Collective Agreement: Redundancy Payments to Public Servants dated 28 June 2012 as detailed above, it is a specific condition of that VER Scheme that persons will not be eligible for re-employment in any Public Service body [as defined by the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Acts 2009 – 2011 and the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012] for a period of 2 years from their date of departure under this Scheme. Thereafter, the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform will be required prior to re-employment. These conditions also apply in the case of engagement/employment on a contract for service basis (either as a contractor or as an employee of a contractor).

Declaration:

Applicants will be required to declare whether they have previously availed of a public service scheme of incentivised early retirement. Applicants will also be required to declare any entitlements to a Public Service pension benefit (in payment or preserved) from any other Public Service employment and/or where they have received a payment-in-lieu in respect of service in any Public Service employment.

Remuneration:

Salary Grade:Assistant Principal(rates effective from 1st July 2013)

Salary Scale:€65,000 - €76,224- personal pension contribution (PPC) rate. This salary is payable to an individual who is required to make a personal pension contribution (PPC) to their main pension (in general those persons whose initial appointment to the Public Service is on or after 6th April 1995).

€61,966- €72,546 - non personal pension contribution (non-PPC) rate. This salary is payable to an individual who is not required to make a personal pension contribution (PPC) to their main pension scheme.

Annual Leave30 days per annum. This leave is on the basis of a five day week and is exclusive of the usual public holidays.

Note:

Entry will be at the minimum point of the scale and will not be subject to negotiation
Different pay and conditions may apply if, immediately prior to appointment the appointee is already a serving Civil Servant or Public Servant
The rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government pay policy

Contract:3 Year Fixed Term Contract

Probation:There is a 6 month probationary period which may at the discretion of the CEO be extended to 11 months.

Superannuation:

The successful appointee will be offered public service pension terms and retirement age conditions in accordance with pension arrangements in the NTA depending on the status of the successful appointee:

In general, an individual who has no prior pensionable Public Service history in the 26 weeks prior to appointment will be a member of the Single Public Service Pension Scheme (Single Scheme) which commenced from 1 January 2013 (Section 10 of the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012 refers. A copy of the Act can be viewed at: ;

SELECTION PROCESS

How to Apply

Please submit the 3 documents as set out below to,

a)A comprehensive CV

b)A fully completed Key Achievements Form (attached)

c)A cover letter/ personal statement outlining why you wish to be considered for the post and where you believe your skills and experience meet the requirements for the position of Communication Manager, Customer Experience Team for the Authority.

Please note that omission of any or part of the 3 requested documents, as set out above, will render the application incomplete. Incomplete applications will not be considered for the next stage of the selection process.

We request that all three documents are submitted in a single word document or PDF where possible.

Closing Date

The closing date and time for applications is 12pm (noon) onFriday the 3rd February

2017. Applications received after the specified deadline cannot be accepted.

If you do not receive an acknowledgement of receipt of your application within 2 working days of applying, please email

Selection Methods

The National Transport Authority will convene an expert board to carry out the competitive stages of the selection process to the highest standards of best practice. The approach employed may include:

Shortlisting of candidates on the basis of the information contained in their application;
A competitive interview;
A second round interview
Completion of an online questionnaire(s);
Work sample/role play/media exercise, and any other tests or exercises that may be deemed appropriate; and
Reference and online checks.

Prior to recommending any candidate for appointment to this position the Authority will make all such enquiries that are deemed necessary to determine the suitability of that candidate. Until all stages of the recruitment process have been fully completed a final determination cannot be made nor can it be deemed or inferred that such a determination has been made.

Please Note: You may be required to undertake a medical should you come under consideration for appointment.

References

We would appreciate it if you would start considering names of people who you feel would be suitable referees that we might consult (2 - 3 names and contact details). The referees listed here do not have to include your current employer, but should be in a position to provide a reference for you. Please be assured that we will only collect the details and contact referees should you come under consideration at interview stage.

The admission of a person to a competition, or invitation to attend interview, or a successful result letter, is not to be taken as implying that the Authority is satisfied that such a person fulfills the requirements or is not disqualified by law from holding the position.

Should the person recommended for appointment decline, or having accepted it, relinquish it, the Authority may at its discretion, select and recommend another person for appointment on the results of this selection process.

Candidates should make themselves available on the date(s) specified by the Authority.

The Authority will not be responsible for refunding any expenses incurred by candidates.

SECURITY CLEARANCES

Please Note:You may be required to complete and return a Garda vetting form should you come under consideration for appointment. This form will be forwarded to An Garda Síochána for security checks on all Irish and Northern Irish addresses at which you resided. If you are not successful this information will be destroyed by the Authority. If you do, therefore, subsequently come under consideration for another position, you may be required to supply this information again.

Deeming of candidature to be withdrawn

Candidates who do not attend for interview or other test when and where required by the Authority, or who do not, when requested, furnish such evidence, as the Authority require in regard to any matter relevant to their candidature, will have no further claim to consideration.

The importance of confidentiality

The National Transport Authority may use third party recruitment specialists to manage all or part of the recruitment process on our behalf. We would like to assure you that protecting confidentiality is our number one priority. You can expect, and we guarantee, that all enquires, applications and all aspects of the proceedings are treated as strictly confidential and are not disclosed to anyone, outside those directly involved in that aspect of the process.

If you feel you would benefit from a confidential initial discussion about any aspect of this opportunity, please contact The NTA Career Team at or on 01 8798300

Communication Manager – National Transport Authority

Communication ManagerKeyAchievements Form

Name:______

Having read the competencies and thought about the demands of the role, for each of the competencies below.

Please briefly demonstrate a specific example which illustrates how you have developed the relevant competency during your career to date and which clearly demonstrates your suitability for this position.

Ideally, your answer should highlight include all elements of the STAR competency framework – which is outlined below:

Situation / Present a challenging situation you found yourself in
Task / What did you need to achieve from the situation?
Action / What action did you personally take to achieve this?
Result / What was the result of your action?

Please note, there is a maximum page count of 2.5 A4 pages at font size 10-12.

The key achievements form commences on the next page.

Team Leadership:
Answer:
Analysis & Decision Making:
Answer:
Management & Delivery of Results:
Answer:
Interpersonal and Communication Skills:
Answer:
Specialist Knowledge, Expertise and Self Development:
Answer:

Communication Manager – National Transport Authority